MALAWI: Aide To President Peter Mutharika To Be Probed For Coruption

Malawi President Peter Mutharika's long-time Special Adviser and Assistant, Ben Phiri, is facing investigations by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on allegations of wrongful self-enrichment after reports indicate that he has become an instant billionaire.



Phiri recently resigned from his position after being accused that he has amassed a spectacular fortune and property portfolio in one year being at State House, while earning a modest civil servant salary.

ACB Senior Public Relations Officer Egrita Ndala said the graft-busting body learnt about the Presidential Special Assistant's alleged wealth through the media.

"The Bureau will review the available information to see if there is merit to warrant investigations," said Ndala as quoted by the Daily Times.

The former presidential top aide said he had stepped down from his position to pave the way for people who have been accusing him of corruption to prove their case.

And the ACB is appealing for anyone who may have information regarding Phiri's corrupt activities, to provide the Bureau with the information for it to take appropriate action.

"The Bureau investigates allegations of corruption based on information provided by informants or the media as long as that source provides enough information related to suspected corruption by public offers or any other individuals in accordance with section 10(1)(b),(c), (d) (e), (g) and (h) of the Corrupt Practices Act," Ndala said.

Senior Advisor to the President on Strategy and Communication, Bright Malopa, was the first to raise an alarm as he reportedly wrote President Mutharika informing the Head of State that his youthful PA was corrupt.

Malawi is reeling from a mass corruption scandal christened as Cashgate which London based auditors Baker Tilly revealed about K13 billion was lost from 2012.

About K92 billion was lost from 2005.

Meanwhile, State House through director of State Residences Peter Mukhito has clarified that Phiri never resigned, confirming assertions by critics that the resignation was a political stunt simply aimed at testing the waters on how he is rated.

Phiri, a strongman in the Mutharika government, is dubbed "Prime Minister".

His resignation letter indicated that he would resign effective June 1, 2105, apparently he wanted to write June 1 2015.

The Special Advisor to Mutharika said he was not ready to discuss the matter further.